
Awards & Scholarships
ASPDA Association Awards
ASPDA recognizes and celebrates members annually at the Awards Banquet during the ASPDA Annual Conference.
Nominations for awards are now closed.
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Recognition of the highest quality of care to athletes and for extraordinary dedication to the profession and to ASPDA
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Recognition of courage, resilience, and ongoing determination while overcoming challenges in their efforts to enhance the profession and ASPDA
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Recognition of the invaluable contributions and outstanding service given to the profession and to ASPDA
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Recognition of the visionary goals and groundbreaking innovation brought to the profession and to ASPDA
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Recognition of an ASPDA Sports RD member with 2 - 6 years of experience in sports and performance nutrition who displays an outstanding commitment to excellence and professional growth. This award is intended for a rising professional who has proven great dedication to the field of performance nutrition and calls specific attention to someone who exemplifies the ASPDA Core Values in their everyday work
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Recognition of unyielding support for the value of sports nutrition and contributions made to the growth of ASPDA
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Celebrating the seamless collaboration and impact between an RD and athlete(s) leading to exceptional outcomes
Scholarships
The ASPDA Professional Development Scholarship application is open on a rolling basis. All other scholarship applications will be open December 15 - February 10.
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The applicant must be a current ASPDA Allied Healthcare or Sports RD member for at least one year before applying for this scholarship.
ASPDA's Professional Development Scholarship provides financial assistance to applicants to advance their practice, enhance their knowledge, and become leaders in the field of sports and performance nutrition. Applications will be reviewed within four weeks of submission. The scholarship award amount may not cover all submitted expenses.
Applicants will describe the following in their application:
What professional development opportunity would you like to attend?
How could this professional development opportunity directly elevate your current work as a sports and performance dietitian?
How do you embody APSDA's values in your work?
How do you give back to the profession as a sports and performance dietitian?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Click here to apply.
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ASPDA will award one (1) scholarship to a student who identifies as underrepresented in the field of dietetics and who is committed to pursuing a career in sports and performance nutrition. While underrepresentation can be based on race, ethnicity, gender, disability, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation, your application letter allows you to describe how you feel underrepresented in the field of dietetics or sports and performance nutrition.
This scholarship is intended to support the recipient during their enrollment in an accredited dietetic internship program of their choice during the 2025–2026 calendar year. The selected student will receive an award of $7,000.
The scholarship winner will also receive:
A complimentary registration to either the 2026 ASPDA Annual Conference or the 2027 ASPDA Sports Nutrition Boot Camp
A 1-year ASPDA student membership
To be eligible for the ASPDA Access and Inclusion Scholarship, the applicant must:
Have graduated or are anticipating to receive an undergraduate degree in Dietetics, Nutrition, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, Chemistry, Biology, or other nutrition-related field
Submit a letter describing how you identify as underrepresented in the field of dietetics and/or sports and performance nutrition
Show proof of a DI match by April 10, 2026
Applicants may currently be enrolled and completing their Dietetic Internship (DI); however, they cannot have completed the DI before the scholarship award is announced
Applicants must submit the following:
A current resume
A one-page Interest and Qualification Statement that (1) describes your interest in the field of sports and performance nutrition, (2) outlines your experience with athletics, and (3) explains in detail why you identify as being underrepresented in the field of dietetics and/or sports and performance nutrition.
One (1) letter of recommendation from a current DPD director, academic advisor, professor, employer, professional ASPDA member, or professional mentor. The recommendation letter should give pertinent information as to the applicant’s character, scholastic ability, and professional leadership. The letter must be uploaded to the application platform by the deadline.
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The applicant must be a current ASPDA Student Member, and preference will be given to those with 6+ months of ASPDA membership.
On behalf of Cheribundi, ASPDA will award two (2) $1,500 scholarships applied for the 2025-2026 academic year (July 2025-June 2026). Eligible applicants must be studying to become a sports dietitian in an undergraduate academic or dietetic internship program or graduate academic program. The scholarships will be awarded to two individuals - one undergraduate and one graduate - who exemplify all that it takes to be a sports dietitian.
Applicants will describe the following in their application:
Leadership and community service experience
Sports and performance nutrition experience
A personal sports and performance nutrition mission statement highlighting their strength and challenges as an aspiring sports and performance dietitian
Their vision for the future of sports and performance nutrition
Applicants must submit the following:
A current resume
Verification of their academic program
One (1) letter of recommendation from a current DPD director, academic advisor, professor, employer, professional ASPDA member, or professional mentor. The recommendation letter should give pertinent information as to the applicants' character, scholastic ability, and professional leadership. The letter must be uploaded to the application platform by the deadline.
The application period for 2025-2026 Cheribundi Student Scholarships is now closed.
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The applicant must be a current ASPDA Allied Healthcare or Sports RD member for at least six months before the application deadline. The award funds will be distributed to the recipients at the Annual Conference.
With support from 1st Step Pro Wellness, ASPDA will award two (2) $1,500 scholarships for travel expenses plus a complimentary 2026 ASPDA Annual Conference registration*.
*Scholarship recipients who have already registered for the conference will receive reimbursement for their registration fee.
The ASPDA First Time Annual Conference Attendee Scholarship will support an ASPDA member who is attending their first ASPDA Annual Conference.
The ASPDA Annual Conference Scholarship will support an ASPDA member who has previously attended an Annual Conference but needs financial support to attend in 2026.
Applicants will describe the following in their application:
How could attending the ASPDA Annual Conference directly elevate your current work as a sports and performance dietitian?
How do you embody APSDA's values in your work?
How do you give back to the profession as a sports and performance dietitian?
Additional question for the ASPDA Annual Conference Scholarship: What are your financial barriers or other challenges that make you a great candidate for this scholarship?
Applications open on December 15, 2025, and close on February 6, 2026. All applicants will find out the status of their application by March 1, 2026.
ASPDA Research Award
Applications for the Research Award will be open April 14 - June 11.
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The ASPDA Research Award will provide financial support to a ASPDA member who is conducting research in order to further our understanding in applied performance nutrition and/or performance nutrition infrastructure. The Principal Investigator or Co-PI should be a ASPDA member for the project to be eligible for the award. The financial award total will not exceed $20,000.




